Carton



Sept. 5, 1939. O'BRIEN 2,171,760

CARTON Filed May 25, 1936 INVENTOR v c/QjfP/l 14032154! Wilt-Gi s? A TTORN Patented Sept. 5, 1939 UNITED STATES FATENT' OFFICE CARTON Application May 25, 1936, Serial No. 81,592

Claims.

This invention relates to cartons, and especially to cartons for shipping and displaying caps.

Heretofore it has been customary to ship caps by first wrapping them in tissue paper and then placing a dozen caps loosely one on top of the other in a suitable round or oval shaped box. This method of shipping had the decided disadvantage of flattening the caps and of spoiling any shape which had previously been imparted to them during the manufacturing operations. For example, caps, in order to have a dressy appearance, have a slightly curved peak and from the peak rearwardly the main body section gradually increases from a flat to approximately an inch and a half height. In order to look well on a persons head it is quite essential that the cap retain this general shape. It is felt in the hat trade that one of the reasons that caps have fallen into disfavor in recent years is due to the fact that they come to have a pancake appearance through packing, shipping, and storing which makes the cap unsatisfactory in the eyes of a prospective purchaser.

It is the soft, light, flexible nature of caps, and also their more porous texture permitting substantial air conditioning of the scalp, which makes caps a more favored article of headgear during the summertime than felt hats which are the conventional and preferred headgear in winter. However, if the cap has a fiat pancake-like appearance both in the peak and in the main body section it does not promote a feeling of comfort and satisfaction in its use and initially negatives the purchase thereof even though a man is thoroughly minded to buy one at first. 1

It is an object of the present invention to provide a carton for packing and shipping caps which will obviate or overcome the disadvantages, set forth in detail hereinbefore, which are prevalent with the cartons now used.

Features of the'present invention flowing from the attainment of this object include the provision of a container capable of supporting a plurality of caps individually in spaced relation so that each of the caps within the container retains its shape substantially as given in the careful manufacturing operations thereof. The structure for accomplishing this advantageous result includes a substantially rectangular container with a plurality of shelves set at spaced intervals within the container. Preferably these shelves are provided with integral legs paralleling the side walls of the main portions of the container with the bottom of the legs resting upon the lower preceding shelf.

This shelf construction has the advantage of greatly strengthening the main body section of the container, thus enabling it to be made from light and comparatively inexpensive materials and yet provide a very sturdy complete structure.

In its preferred form, and supplementing the feature just set forth, the shelves are each made slightly shorter in depth than the main container in order to provide a recess in front of the container to receive a hinged closure member for the carton, in such a manner that the side edges of the closure member are within and adjacent the side walls of the main body to support the side walls against crushing and distorting and. to assist the main body portion toward keeping a square or rectangular shape. This feature also dispenses with the need of numerous securing strips around all sides of the closure member during shipping as is prevalent in general run of cartons and makes for a much heater structure than is prevalent in cartons having an over lapped hanging flange on the closure member.

Because of the soft, light, and flexible nature of caps somewhat of a problem is involved in displaying the same since they cannot be mounted on vertical rods in the same manner as the more self-sustaining felt hats ordinarily sold.

The carton of the present invention is very advantageous for cap display purposes, including the provision of a novel type of closure member adapted to serve both as a cover after packing and during shipment and to prominently display advertising material when the carton is set upon a counter for display purposes.

This end is achieved by having a cover which is preferably hinged or pivotally mounted upon the top wall of the carton and which is pivoted or hinged intermediate its length in such a manner that it may be folded substantially midway of its length and set upon the top of the box and at various angles relative thereto.

A further display feature of the present invention is the structure which makes possible closing approximately one-half of the container, and in its preferred form doing this with an ornamental or advertising display section, either to keep dust from reaching the caps stored in the underlying compartments or to close the compartments from view when they are empty. However, when this is done the remaining compartments are still left open to view and are accessible for removing and sampling caps.

The main body section and shelves therein are so constructed, according to the present invention, as to provide a substantial backing and support for the double hinged cover or closure member in the fully closed position wherein it covers all of the compartments, and also to substantially support it in the half-closed position.

A further and particularly novel feature of the present invention is the provision of a novel fastening device wherein only one fastening device is capable of securing the closure member in the: fully closed position, half-closed position, and several fully open positions.

Other objects, features, and advantages will be apparent or will appear hereinafter.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the carton, of the present invention, in a fully closed position.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view, similar to Fig. 1, but shows the carton in a fully open position.

Fig, 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the shelves for forming compartments.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view showing the closure member in the closed position and showing the fastening device in the partly closed position.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view, similar to Fig. 4, of a modified form of closure member.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, in its present preferred form, the present invention provides a complete carton I9 preferably of a substantially rectangular shape, having a main body II including a bottom I2, side walls I3 and I4, similar back wall I5, and top It. This main body section may be made of cardboard or any other suitable material with the various walls, and the top and bottom thereof secured together in any of the now well-known ways of making a rectangular carton.

Now, of particular importance, the carton of the present invention is provided with an open front I7, rather than an open top, the common practice in hat and cap boxes heretofore proposed. Closing of this normally open side I! is, according to the present invention, effected by a novel closure member which will be described in detail hereinafter.

Within the main body II, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a plurality of shelves I8 adapted to divide a large main compartment I9 of the main body II into a plurality of small compartments 20, each adapted to receive a cap. Preferably the shelves I8 are scored as at 2I and provided with down-turned legs 22, 23, and 24 which serve to support the shelves in positioned relation one on top of the other. If preferred the legs 22, 23, and 24 may serve only to maintain the shelves in vertically spaced relation one to the other. However, according to the present invention in its preferred form these legs 22, 23, and 24 are glued or otherwise secured to the walls I3, I4, and I5 respectively in order to make a neat structure and particularly to greatly strengthen the entire carton. It is this latter feature which makes possible the desirable manufacture of this carton from light and inexpensive materials. A substantial and sturdy structure of self-sustaining shape may still be provided even though the rear downwardly extending leg 24 on each of the shelves is omitted, which may be desirable in order to eifect economies in the manufacturing cost of the carton. However, its use does add considerably to the strength and rigidity of the carton.

In order to facilitate placing caps into the individual compartments 20, and to facilitate removal of such caps therefrom, the shelves are each provided with a cutout 26 along the front edge 21 to clear the fingers of a person.

Coming now to very important structural aspects of the present invention it should be noted that the present invention provides a closure member 28, preferably of a material somewhat like the various walls of the main body I I, which is preferably made in two sections 28a and 28b for completely closing the carton and in effect forming a front wall adapted to close the opening I! to prevent dust and dirt from reaching the caps stored in the individual compartments 20 and to keep them in place therein during shipping.

Preferably, and as shown, the section 29a of the closure member 28 is provided with a pivotal connection 29 which for economy and neatness of appearance may be formed by a suitable cloth adhesive strip, for holding the closure member to the main body I I yet permitting its pivotal movement from the completely closed position shown in Fig. 1 to the completely open position shown in Fig. 2 to provide ready access to all the shelves I8 and the compartments 23 within the carton.

In its preferred form the closure member 28 is adapted to fit within a recess 39 defining the front opening I! with the various side edges of the closure member closely adjacent the inner faces of the side walls, top and bottom I2, I3, I4, and I6 respectively as is readily apparent in Fig. 1. To this end the shelves l8 end somewhat short of the edges I2, I3, I4, and I6 and each is preferably provided with faces 22, 23, and 27 adapted to engage the inner faces 28c and 28d of the closure member sections 28a and 2812 respectively. The faces of the shelves I8 engaging the inner faces of the closure member sections 28a and 28b effectively serve to locate the closure member 28 in the recess 30 and to keep the closure member in a very flat condition therein. Also, the side edges of the closure member 28 engaging the inner faces of the walls I2, I3, I4 and I6, defining the recess 30 effectively maintains the carton in a square shape even though substantial crushing strains are imposed against the top or sides thereof.

Fig. 5 shows a modified form of closure member 28c which is the same as the closure member 28 in all respects excepting that it is of sufficient width to overlie the front edges of the walls, top and/or bottom, I3, It, I6 and/or l2 respectively. However, this is a less advantageous structure than the preferred form shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and just described in detail since it does not strengthen the main body against adverse pressures applied on the top and/or sides.

The closure sections 28a and 28b are preferably of substantially the same size with a pivotal connection 32, of cloth, adhesive tape, or the like, joining the two together as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Since the pivotal connections 29 and 32 are exposed to view only during the packing and shipping operations it does not matter if they are made of thick and unsightly materials. However, they are normally covered by a thin paper and novelty sheet to have a neat finished appearance. In the opened or display condition of the carton these pivotal connections 29 and 32 are fully hidden from view.

The closure member 28 made in two parts 28a and 2812 has the very desirable advantage of making possible the use of the closure member for ornamental, descriptive, and advertising data as is apparent particularly in Fig. 2 wherein the face 280 of the member 28a discloses a coach and two and schematically discloses some lines of advertising printed on it. If the closure member 28 was made as a one-piece member and projected upwardly of the main body II it would be too large, top heavy, and would not serve satisfactorily as an advertising medium.

This formation of the closure member 28 in two parts 28a and 281) has the further advantage of enabling the store proprietor, who is selling the caps ordinarily housed in the carton, to partially close the carton when, for example, the carton is half empty or when most of the caps are of the same material and it is desired to protect some of them from dust, dirt, and handling while the remainder are exposed to view and sampling. This is accomplished by moving the lower closure member part 2812 about the pivotal connection 32 until the back or exposed section thereof as viewed in Fig. 1 is moved against the outer section of the closure section 28a. In this position the several top compartments 2!] are closed and the several lower compartments are fully open. The edges 22, 23', and 21 effectively support the sections 28a and 28b in this partly closed condition. Also, in this condition the face 28d of the closure member 28b is exposed to View and is preferably provided with ornamental and advertising indicia similar to that described in connection with the face 280 of the part 28a.

Of particular importance, the present invention provides a novel fastening device 34 preferably provided on both sides of the closure member 28, which in combination with the novel structural details of the carton hereinbefore described in detail serves to effectively hold the closure member 28 in the fully closed position shown in Fig. 1, in the partially closed position described in connection with folding up only the section 2822 onto the section 28a, and into various fully open positions above the top l6 as shown in Fig, 2.

This fastening device 34 preferably comprises a strap 35 secured to the part 28b of the closure member 28 by a snap fastener 35. If preferred this fastener 36 may be in the form of a rivet, eyelet, or the like. At its opposite end the strap 35 is provided with a secondary snap fastener 31 adapted to be snapped over and secured to a button 38 on the side wall I3 or to the bottom I2 as shown by dot-and-dash lines 39 in Fig. 1. When the fastener 31 is secured to the button 38, the closure member 28 is effectively held in the fully closed position relative to the main body ll.

When the section 281) of the closure member 28 is folded up onto the face of the closed section 28a the same strap 35 and snap fastener 31 may be secured to a button 40 on the side wall 13 in order to effectively hold the closure member 28 in the partly closed position with the face 28d exposed to view.

This same fastening device 34 also effectively holds the closure member in the fully open position shown in Fig. 2 by moving the snap fastener 31 onto the button 41 located in the top l6. Preferably the top I6 is provided with a plurality of buttons including the button 4| just described and other buttons 42 and 43. These various buttons located in spaced points relative to the front of the main compartment enable the permanent or semi-permanent supporting of the section 28a at various angles relative to the top l6.

Thus, when the carton is placed upon a high counter it may be preferable to have the section 28a nearly vertical relative to the top I6 in which event the snap fastener 31 is secured to the button 42. However, when the carton is placed on a low counter in a store it may be preferred to have the section 28a at a considerable angle so that the advertising indicia may be read easily in which event the snap fastener 37 is preferably secured to the button 43.

As shown the fastener 34 just described in detail may be provided on both sides of the closure member 28 to more effectively lock and hold the latter in the various positions relative to the main body.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present invention provides a very sturdy carton which may be made of comparatively light and inexpensive materials and yet hold its shape very well even though subjected to adverse pressures. Also, that it effectively serves to support caps individually so that the peak and body sections thereof will not be crushed. In this carton, too, the caps will be effectively protected from dust, dirt, and unnecessary handling. It will, also, be seen that the carton of the present invention in addition to protecting the caps effe'ctively serves in a very advantageous manner and in a plurality of ways as a novel and very useful counter display carton for the caps normally packed, stored, and shipped therein.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of this invention and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a carton the combination of a main body having top, bottom, side and back walls and having an open front; a foldable closure member having pivotally associated upper and lower sections; a pivotal connection between the upper section and the main body; and a fastening device secured to said lower section and having a fastening element cooperable with complementary fastening elements on the main body for selectively holding the closure member in a fully closed position, in a partially closed position with the upper and lower sections in superposed relation and in a fully open position with each of the two sections above and angularly disposed relative to the top of the main body.

2. In a carton the combination of a main body having top, bottom, side and back walls and having an open front; a foldable closure member having pivotally associated upper and lower sections; a pivotal connection between the upper section and the main body; a fastening strap secured to the lower section of said closure member and carrying a separable fastening element; and a plurality of complementary fastening elements on said main body, said separable fastening element on the fastening strip being cooperable with said complementary fastening elements on the main body to selectively hold the closure member in a fully closed position, and in a fully open position with each of the sections above and angularly disposed relative to the top of the main body.

3. In a carton the combination of a main body having top, bottom, side and back walls and an open front; a member for closing said open front comprising upper and lower sections; means pivotally connecting said sections; means pivotally connecting said upper section to said main body; a plurality of shelves in said main body forming compartments, said shelves having front edges abutting against and supporting said upper and lower sections of the closure member when the latter is in a fully closed position relative to the main body; and means for selectively holding said upper and lower sections in various positions relative to each other and relative to said main body, and comprising a plurality of spaced fastening elements on said main body; and a fastening element on said lower section engageable with any one of the fastening elements on the main body.

4. In a carton the combination of a main body having top, bottom, side and back walls and an open front; a foldable closure member having pivotally associated upper and lower sections; a pivotal connection between the upper section and the main body; fastening elements on the lower portion of said main body and on said top wall; and means secured at one end to said lower section of the closure member and having a fastening element at the other end cooperable with the fastening elements on the lower portion of the main body and on said top wall for selectively holding the closure member in a fully closed position and in a; fully openpo'sition with each of the two sections above and angularly disposed relative to the top of the main body.

5. In a carton the combination of a main body having top, bottom, side and back walls and having an open front; a foldable closure member having upper and lower sections; means on said sections for pivotally securing the same to each other; means on said main body and said upper section for pivotally securing the latter to said main body; flexible means secured at one end to said lower section and having a fastening element at its other end; a fastening element at the lower portion of said main body cooperablc with said first fastening element for holding the closure member in a fully closed position; and a. fastening element at the upper portion of said main body cooperable with said first fastening element for holding the closure member in a partially closed position with the upper and lower sections in superposed relation.

JOSEPH L. OBRIEN. 

